Unionized machinists at Boeing would say no to their firm’s latest contract proposal, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 751 said Tuesday.
The union, representing over 30,000 Boeing workers, said that’s the message from an internal survey of District 751 members.
“The survey results from yesterday were overwhelmingly clear, almost as loud as the first offer: Members are not interested in the company’s latest offer,” the union said in a statement. “We heard you, and you’ve told us loud and clear that this proposal did not go far enough to address our members’ priorities.”
The union didn’t disclose the exact figures from the survey but reaffirmed its desire to restart contract talks, with or without mediation.
On Monday, Boeing released a “best and final” contract offer that includes a 30% raise over four years, a $6,000 ratification, or one-time, bonus and the reinstatement of an incentive bonus. Boeing’s last offer, which its union rejected this month, included a 25% wage increase and a $3,000 ratification bonus.
Over 95% of voting District 751 members rejected that offer on Sept. 12, leading to a strike the next day. Since then, around 32,000 Boeing employees have been on the picket lines and contract negotiations have been tense. Union negotiators have accused Boeing of not taking bargaining seriously after the company said it couldn’t meet the union’s 40% wage increase demand.
Due to the strike, Boeing has halted production on some of its more popular planes like the 737 MAX. Additionally, the company has initiated a hiring freeze and plans to furlough nonunion workers for one week every four weeks for the duration of the strike.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.
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